'Barefoot Bandit' Colton Harris-Moore In Solitary At Washington Prison

Barefoot Bandit Colton Harris Moore

SEATTLE -- Colton Harris-Moore, the youthful thief known as the "Barefoot Bandit," is being held in solitary confinement at a Washington state prison, a situation his lawyer calls absurd.

The 21-year-old has been placed in the intensive management unit at Walla Walla State Penitentiary, where convicts facing the death penalty are housed, the Department of Corrections confirmed Friday. Spokeswoman Selena Davis said it's standard to place high-profile inmates in such confinement for their own protection.

"You're there by yourself," Davis said. "No one can pose a threat to you."

His Seattle attorney, John Henry Browne, insisted Friday that Harris-Moore neither needs nor wants such protection. He noted that prior to being transferred to state prison, Harris-Moore was held at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, where he was in the general population.

Harris-Moore was sentenced in December to seven years in state prison for dozens of crimes, including burglary and identity theft, stemming from his sensational two-year run from the law in stolen boats, cars and airplanes. A self-taught pilot, he was finally apprehended in a hail of bullets in the Bahamas in 2010, after he crash-landed a plane stolen from an Indiana airport.

Harris-Moore has been in solitary confinement at Walla Walla since April 11, and he will remain there pending a final decision on his prison placement, expected in about seven weeks, Davis said. Harris-Moore is allowed out of his cell five times per week, for an hour each time, plus three 10-minute showers per week. He's allowed to have books, but no television or radio.

His Seattle lawyer, John Henry Browne, said Friday it's absurd that a nonviolent felon like Harris-Moore is being held in conditions akin to those of the worst killers, and he's concerned about Harris-Moore's mental health. Because Harris-Moore is allowed out of his cell only five times per week, he has at least once been locked up for 72 hours with no recreation time, Browne said.

"I'm worried about it, but he sounded OK on the phone today," Browne said. "I just don't know how much longer he can handle it."

Browne, who is also representing Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, accused of massacring 17 Afghan villagers in March, said he has asked state officials, including the governor's office, to intervene on Harris-Moore's behalf.

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Loading Slideshow

• Colton Harris-Moore

  This July 2009 file self-portrait provided by the Island County Sheriff's Office shows Colton Harris-Moore.

• Barefoot Bandit

  In this February 2010 photo provided by the Islands' Sounder newspaper, chalk drawings of bare feet are shown on the floor of the Homegrown Market on Orcas Island, Wash., after the store was broken into overnight. Investigators say Colton Harris-Moore -- also known as the "Barefoot Bandit" -- was behind the break-in, as well as airplane thefts, numerous burglaries and a high-speed boat chase. (AP Photo/Courtesy Islands' Sounder, Meredith Griffith, File)

• Jonathan Standridge

  Jonathan Standridge, poses for a photo at his home in SeaTac, Wash., Monday, March 18, 2013. Standridge is serving as a mentor to Colton Harris-Moore, who is also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," while Harris-Moore serves time in prison for series of thefts that included boats, cars and airplanes. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

• Colton Harris-Moore

  The home of Colton Harris-Moore in Camano Island, Wash., is seen on Monday, July 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

• Colton Harris-Moore

  A warning sign is seen in the driveway at the home of Colton Harris-Moore in Camano Island, Wash., on Monday, July 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

• Colton Harris-Moore

  Colton Harris-Moore exits a plane handcuffed as he is escorted by police upon arrival at Nassau, Bahamas, on Sunday, July 11, 2010. Harris-Moore was arrested before dawn in northern Eleuthera Island, according to police. (AP Photo/Felipe Major)

• John Henry Browne

  Attorney John Henry Browne, after appearing with his client Colton Harris-Moore, outside U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday, June 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

• Colton Harris-Moore

  In this courtroom sketch, Colton Harris-Moore appears before Judge Richard Jones in federal court, on Friday, June 17, 2011, in Seattle. Harris-Moore pleaded guilty to seven charges stemming from a multi-state crime spree that included the thefts of several airplanes and boats. (AP Photo/Peter Millett)

• San Juan County Prosecutor

  San Juan County prosecutor Randall Gaylord (center) talks to reporters, as U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan (right) and FBI Special Agent in Charge Laura Laughlin (left) look on, Friday, June 17, 2011, in Seattle, after Colton Harris-Moore pleaded guilty to seven charges stemming from a multi-state crime spree. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

• Jonathan Standridge

  Jonathan Standridge, poses for a photo at his home in SeaTac, Wash., Monday, March 18, 2013. Standridge is serving as a mentor to Colton Harris-Moore, who is also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," while Harris-Moore serves time in prison for series of thefts that included boats, cars and airplanes. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

• Colton Harris-Moore

  FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2011 file photo, Colton Harris-Moore, also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," stands in Island County Superior Court in Coupeville, Wash. Jonathan Standridge, a Boeing project manager, is serving as a mentor to Harris-Moore while Harris-Moore serves time in prison for series of thefts that included boats, cars and airplanes. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

• Pam Kohler

  Pam Kohler, the mother of Colton Harris-Moore who is also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," leaves the Federal Courthouse in Seattle, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, after she attended the federal sentencing hearing for her son. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

• Pam Kohler

  Pam Kohler, the mother of Colton Harris-Moore, who is also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," looks towards the Federal Courthouse in Seattle as she leaves in a vehicle, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, following the federal sentencing hearing for her son in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

• Colton Harris-Moore

  The shackled and sandal-clad feet of Colton Harris-Moore are shown as Harris-Moore, who is also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," walks into an Island County Superior Courtroom, Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, in Coupeville, Wash. Harris-Moore pleaded guilty Friday to burglary and theft charges in the Barefoot Bandit case. The 20-year-old softly answered affirmatively when the judge asked if he understood his rights. He said guilty when the judge asked how he wanted to plead. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

• FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2010 file photo provided by the Islands' Sounder newspaper, chalk drawings of bare feet are shown on the floor of the Homegrown Market on Orcas Island, Wash., after the store was broken into overnight. The crime was blamed on Colton Harris-Moore, better known as the "Barefoot Bandit," who on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 is expected to plead guilty to about 30 state felony charges arising from a two-year, cross-country crime spree in stolen planes, boats and cars. (AP Photo/Courtesy Islands' Sounder, Meredith Griffith, File)

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Comments

[mldtq]

08:28 AM on 01/13/2013

Not very hard to like this kid. I just hope when he gets out, he'll be smart enough not to go back to do these burglaries again. I think a lot of people change their minds about him when they hear about his life, his family and how smart he is, and not because he's white.

[Kaylee Rushing]

04:59 AM on 11/11/2012

I am extreamely ashamed at the haters on this poor boy stuck in a mans body. I know how he feels I went through so many things 81/2 years of abuse from my birth dad, also by my baby sitter during that time. I have been bullied severely that I ran away three time and wanted to hurt and kill myself at the age of 4 . I am adopted by my aunt and uncle. I am 19 years old, and this is truely the first time in my life that I am not bullied. I am essed up in my brain. I have so many mental issues. Like I was diagnosed with PTSD. My life has been and will always be a struggle for me. I will never be the same.. I was traumatized and neglected to the point where I never truely grew up. My brain will switch ages like I will be a 19 year old, and the next I will be a little kid going back to the age of 2. My Mom never was there . And she never said she loved me,nor did my dad say that he loved me. I went through every abuse that their is. So for you haters You have no idea what it feels like for him to go through all of that. He just wants to be loved and treated like a human being, instead of how he is being treated.

[f0rTyLeGz]

12:26 AM on 04/24/2012

Cruel and unusual. Our fair country is falling to pieces.

[agentgirl]

05:16 PM on 04/23/2012

They should let him go.

[iuriggs6]

09:52 PM on 04/23/2012

I agree. How dare the authorities make him pay for his many crimes. That's just flat out wrong.

[agentgirl]

01:04 PM on 04/24/2012

Sarcasm is so blase. My point being is that this kid is very smart and his talents could be used for good. He never hurt anyone. Their are rapists and murderers who go free before he will.

[agentgirl]

01:05 PM on 04/24/2012

I meant there not their.

[stacknef]

04:11 PM on 04/23/2012

Funs over kid...get used to being treated as a prisoner.

[dvglass3]

05:08 PM on 04/23/2012

Um, he is being treated like a murderer.

[goboinouterspace]

06:22 PM on 04/23/2012

I think that what he wants at this point IS to be treated as a prisoner . . .

[omegas3]

11:08 AM on 04/23/2012

Funny how people supported his life of crime. I mean white people. Do you support drug dealers as well?

[dvglass3]

05:14 PM on 04/23/2012

Nice racist comment....what is wrong with people. It is a skin color everybody! The color of your skin will never make you the person you are born to be! Let's start to learn from terrilbe cases like Trayvon and start to come together and stop the hatred!

[goboinouterspace]

06:23 PM on 04/23/2012

If they stole a plane without knowing how to fly it and crash landed it in the Bahamas . . . yes, probably.

EPIC.

[Ray Russelburg]

07:59 AM on 04/23/2012

Put him in general population. He has the whitest teeth the other inmates will ever come across......

[blaze]

10:53 AM on 04/23/2012

Why are so many American males fascinated with prison rape? Is it the revenge factor.. or is it something else?

[IfIonlyknew]

04:31 PM on 04/23/2012

It does say something about them....Probably still in the closet.

[IfIonlyknew]

04:30 PM on 04/23/2012

He is six foot four......Not likely.

[Ray Russelburg]

11:48 AM on 04/25/2012

I agree with you.

[kc soviet]

06:03 PM on 05/08/2012

Well put; the article clearly states that he did just fine in gen pop. My money is on the kid when it comes to other inmates. He is obviously more resourceful than most of them.

[ish1]

07:28 AM on 04/23/2012

"Harris-Moore was sentenced in December to seven years in state prison for DOZENS of crimes, including burglary and identity theft, stemming from his sensational two-year run from the law in stolen boats, cars and airplanes"

Another white kid getting a slap on the wrist, dude is a career criminal...

[gotribe12]

10:32 AM on 04/23/2012

I would not consider 7 years a slap on the wrist for non violent crime.

[ish1]

03:28 PM on 04/23/2012

Dozens of counts of non violent crimes...

[lisaman]

10:32 AM on 04/23/2012

The kid had followers and the prosecutors agreed to a plea deal rather than risk a hung jury or even an acquittal. So the 7 years was reached with a plea deal. Not sure if it was a slap on the wrist though, he actually got 7 years state and 6 1/2 federal but as is usually the case, they will run concurrently. I am not certain but he may face charges elsewhere as well. I know he was found guilty in the Bahamas but that was satisfied by a fine paid by his mother. He also can never profit from his story. The prosecutors said they considered his childhood when deciding to agree to the deal. Did you know the kid taught himself to fly a plane though a video game?

[Victoryin2008]

12:26 PM on 04/23/2012

Apparently he didn't devote enough time to learning to fly...the plane he stole was so badly damaged it was a total loss (LOL)

[ish1]

03:29 PM on 04/23/2012

ok so that makes more sense, the extra 6 1/2 years in the feds...

[matt gordon]

03:17 AM on 04/23/2012

The decision as to which prison facility he will serve the seven years is expected in seven weeks, so the prison spokeswoman implies solitary is temporary. He doesn't seem to warrant long-term solitary confinement but he can probably handle a couple months. If he is only at this location pending final assignment, they probably are being extra cautious so no harm comes to him on their watch, which is not unreasonable. Prison should be reserved for violent offenders and repeat non-violent offenders. Simply locking people up for non-violent crimes for years at a time is not 'justice,' it is vengeance. Surely he could better serve his debt to society by requiring people to work at some state job - road repair, cutting grass, etc. - or in one of those private-public partnership companies that employ prisoners in light manufacturing jobs. The prisoners aren't free but the work location is usually a short drive from a min-security prison, so they are being guarded. There is nothing wrong with humane treatment of prisoners and the sentence should fit the crime. There are less expensive alternatives to standard prison that would better serve society as a whole. But if people prefer the current system we should dispense with the misleading 'justice system; and label it more honestly: vengeance and punishment system.

[Roadgeek]

12:29 AM on 04/23/2012

Inmates don't just get put into close custody at random. Colton was likely discovered to be plotting an escape or had contraband in his cell.

[dvglass3]

05:20 PM on 04/23/2012

If that were true I think the prison official would have said that instead of;

Spokeswoman Selena Davis said it's standard to place high-profile inmates in such confinement for their own protection.

"You're there by yourself," Davis said. "No one can pose a threat to you."

[Sezuka]

07:02 AM on 07/03/2012

He had said he would commit suicide.

[joe27001]

08:49 PM on 04/22/2012

this is the dues he is paying so he can launch his book and movie career

[zoot rollo III]

09:44 PM on 04/22/2012

Sure...but he won't see a dime of profit from it. Those days are long gone.

[RyanBurke]

08:24 PM on 04/22/2012

The kid broke the law and deserves the jail term that he received. No one could convince me that he deserves solitary confinement, though. Solitary is a special kind of torture that should be reserved for killers and violent inmates.

[Smitty48]

11:02 PM on 04/22/2012

I agree with you- it's definitely harsh... but, at the same time, it may be the only way to ensure his physical safety. Prison is a terrifying place, and the kid would likely be physically and/or sexually assaulted if placed with the general population.

[lisaman]

10:23 AM on 04/23/2012

Doesn't the article state that before April 11th he was in general population in another prison?

[dvglass3]

05:22 PM on 04/23/2012

The "kid" is 6'4".....not exactly the kind of guy the other inmates are going to look at as being a push over.

[Taryn Pirelli]

08:00 PM on 04/22/2012

It is interesting to read the mixed comments from love to absolute hate. I will agree that what the kid did was wrong, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't interesting at the same time. Mainly the self taught learning how to fly a plane, would be interesting to see what is going through his mind, or find out just how smart this kid really is. If he was a criminal he would have some very high potential.

[giddalti]

10:56 PM on 04/22/2012

If he were a government agent, he'd have even more potential. They should harness his raw talent and put it to good use instead of sticking him in a box to rot.

[Taryn Pirelli]

02:47 AM on 04/23/2012

That would be interesting indeed.

[whycantwejustallgetalong]

10:25 AM on 04/23/2012

Love this. Why not put his intelligence to good use?

[michelllll]

07:15 PM on 04/22/2012

I think it's absurd and heartless to put him in solitary confinement. That is wrong!

[dwcrete]

06:20 PM on 04/22/2012

He just learned early what most of us take a life time to realize - The entire system stinks of hypocrisy.